Oak Ridge’s first dog park expected by summer?

The Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Advisory Board recently held an open house-style meeting to share information and receive feedback on developing use policies for the city’s first dog park.

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By Beverly Majors

Oakridger - Oak Ridge, TN

By Beverly Majors

Posted Apr. 8, 2013 at 7:40 PM
Updated Apr 8, 2013 at 7:41 PM

By Beverly Majors

Posted Apr. 8, 2013 at 7:40 PM
Updated Apr 8, 2013 at 7:41 PM

Oak Ridge, Tenn.

The Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Advisory Board recently held an open house-style meeting to share information and receive feedback on developing use policies for the city’s first dog park.

Later at the Board’s meeting, Board members discussed various issues, including signs and the relocation of the New China Palace.

Recreation and Parks Director Josh Collins said about 30 people attended the open house prior to the Parks Board’s scheduled meeting.

“Basically, (visitors) were walked through the rules and site plans for the park,” he said.

The Dog Park is being proposed in the Big Turtle Park area near the playground and Katie Hunter Field.

Bridgette Ellis, chairwoman of the Dog Park Committee, said the feedback from the open house was positive, but the committee might need to look over the rules and ordinances again before sending them to City Council for approval.

“We want to try to accommodate everyone,” said Ellis, adding the Committee hopes the city can break ground at the park by late summer or early fall.

In its business meeting, the Parks Board discussed sign usage along the city’s greenways and decided the board would have a representative who could work with the city’s Community Development staff and the Planning Commission to address appropriate options for signs.

Member Dan Robbins addressed the board as the chairman of Greenways Oak Ridge, starting the conversation. He had asked the board to "go on record" to oppose reader board signs along greenways.

Recreation and Parks Director Josh Collins also reported the latest waterfront development issue pertaining to the New China Place move and the rental agreement the city had signed with Adventures Outdoors for bicycle and kayak rental.

He said the New China Palace should be in its new space on Central Avenue by July and would vacate its current facility in May.

Adventures Outdoors could begin operating in April with a "limited inventory." He said the company could, "down the road," add canoes and paddle boats.